December 21, 1819 – Weather extremely warm, Thermometer 81. A sail.
Lat. 15. 35 (Thaddeus Journal)
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December 21, 1819 – Weather extremely warm, Thermometer 81. A sail.
Lat. 15. 35 (Thaddeus Journal)
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The first mission station on Kauai was established at Waimea on the more accessible south coast in 1820. In 1834, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent the Reverend William P. Alexander to investigate the north coast of Kauai for a suitable location for a second station.
He chose the Hanalei area because of its harbor, fertile soil and needs of the people. The actual site was called Waiʻoli, “Singing Waters”.
The Waiʻoli Mission District consists of the main Waiʻoli Mission Residence (1836,) the old Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church (1841,) the new Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church (1912) and related improvements.
Rev. Alexander and his wife and son moved there in 1834 and began work immediately, preaching to hundreds of islanders in a huge thatched meeting house, while living in a small grass hut.
The Alexanders carried on alone with their work until 1837 when the Board of Commissioners sent a teaching couple, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Johnson, to the mission. In the meantime, the Alexanders built a frame house for their growing family.
To help make ends meet, the mission planted crops in land donated by the Governor of Kauaʻi. The students helped cultivate the crops, and in so doing, learned agricultural techniques. Cotton was tried without much success. Sugar cane proved much more suitable.
As the center of mission activities on the Hanalei side of Kauai, Waiʻoli Church and Mission House played an important role in the history of that part of the island.
Deborah Kapule, the dowager Queen of Kauai and an earnest convert, assisted in establishing the Mission. Governor Kaikioewa of Kauai provided the land and encouraged the Mission in many ways.
The Old Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church is actually the third church built on its site. The first was a huge thatch structure built by the local populace when they heard that a permanent missionary was to be sent to them.
It was constructed in 1832, but destroyed by fire in 1834, just prior to the arrival of the Rev. William Alexander. He immediately built another similar structure, but it was destroyed by a storm in 1837.
In 1841, Rev. Alexander dedicated the present Old Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church; it is the oldest church on the Island of Kauai.
In 1843, the Alexanders were transferred to the Lāhainā station due to illness and the Rev. and Mrs. George Rowell took their place.
In 1846, Rev. Rowell and his wife were transferred to Waimea. Mr. and Mrs. Abner Wilcox and their four boys were sent from Oʻahu to take over the teaching duties. Mr. Wilcox was to “raise up teachers for the common schools of the island and to prepare those who may go from our Island to the High School”.
In 1853, the American Board finally transferred the Sandwich Islands Mission to the Hawaiian Evangelical Association, which had the status of a “home mission”. To round out the missionaries’ pensions, the American Board divided mission lands among them.
In this manner, the Waiʻoli home was deeded to the Wilcox family. They had decided to make their home in Hawaiʻi rather than return to the mainland. However, in 1869, while on a visit to relatives in New England, Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox suddenly fell ill and died.
The sons took over the Waiʻoli property, managing the farm operation and keeping the buildings in good repair. Albert Wilcox was the last to live in the frame house, moving out in 1877.
The sons went on to become some of the most prominent figures in Hawaii. George N. Wilcox became a highly successful sugar planter on Kauai and entered politics.
He was elected to the legislature. In 1887, he was elected to the House of Nobles, and after Kalākaua’s death, was appointed Minister of the Interior by Queen Liliuokalani.
After the fall of the monarchy, he served the Republic of Hawaiʻi in the constitutional convention, and later, in the Senate. All the while, he continued his sugar operations at the Grove Farm Plantation on Kauai, as well as participating in various other enterprises. The other Wilcox boys also played important parts in monarchy, Republic and Territorial commerce and politics.
In 1912, the current church building was built with donations from Sam, George and Albert Wilcox (sons of the missionary couple who were born at the station). The old 1841 church was used as the Mission Hall. The old mission bell was used in the belfry.
In 1921, Wilcox descendants funded architect Hart Wood to restore the Mission House and the Mission Hall. By 1945, it merged with the Anini Church and the Haʻena Church to become the Huiʻia Church.
Having survived two previous hurricanes, Hurricane Dot and Hurricane Iwa, both the Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church Sanctuary and the Waiʻoli Mission Hall were restored after sustaining significant damage from Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Both buildings are listed on the state and national registers of historic places.
The Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church has had a continuous record of service since 1834, first as a Congregational Church and since 1957 as a United Church of Christ.
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December 22, 1819 – At a meeting of the brethren resolved unanimously that they deem it expedient to observe the anniversary of the Savior’s birth in a religious manner. (Thaddeus Journal)
Dec. 22nd. The three last have been peculiarly pleasant days—our progress both smooth and rapid; and tho near a vertical sun, experienced but little inconvenience from the heat. The mild beams of the moon glittering on the wide waters, give a charm to the evening, and what is better than all, while it is peace without, through the mercy of GOD, I can also add, it is peace within. But, 0, I long for more devout and holy aspirations to Him who did say, “My peace I leave with you.” The renewed health of my dear husband calls for a heart of praise. To-day has afforded some pleasant hours, in our little room, where we are now made comfortable, in being employed by his side, while he has been planning a sermon for Christmas. He has just read to me the plan. May the Divine Spirit lead, in the filling it out, to such thoughts as he will bless and set home upon the heart. Have this evening been engaged in conversation with Mr. C—, feel a peculiar interest in the state of that young man–am encouraged to strengthen those feelings from the hope that GOD, by his Spirit, is inclining our hearts, in a few instances, to make his case a subject of prayer. While conversing about him, to-day,
Mr. B— suggested the thought that it was not too much to ask of GOD so to cause divine truth to shine in his path,—so to incline his heart, that he should be led to relinquish the pursuit of wealth, join himself with us in the glorious work anticipated by us, of erecting the standard of the cross in those dark regions whither we go. It has been much in mind, to-day, that, it _is not a vain thing to call upon GOD. O, for that faith to which a promise is annexed. (Sybil Bingham)
21. – This has been a good day to my soul. Joy & gladness begin to break in upon me as light out of darkness. Spent much of my time in reading & writing. By the blessings of God I hope that this desultory course which I have so long followed has at length come to an end. I shall endeavour to fix upon some planned by which I may turn to some good account every moment of my life. (Samuel Whitney Journal)
December 22, 1819. Resolved That It is expedient to observe the anniversary of the birth of our Saviour. That Brothers Bingham, and Thurston be a committee to make arrangements for the celebration, and that they report in what manner the day shall be observed. (Minutes of the Prudential Meetings of the Mission Family)
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December 23, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)
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December 24, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)
Dec. 24th. Our way continues prosperous. I have seldom ever enjoyed more uniform peace of mind than for some of the past days. May I give heed that my spiritual course be like our literal course;—while exempt from adverse gales, not experiencing a calm from want of ‘heavenly winds – so blow a prosperous gale of grace.’ (Sybil Bingham)
December 24. We are now in the Torrid Zone – warm days and nights moderated by fresh breezes. Suffer most during the night season, when we are obliged to be in the cabin. I am frequently obliged to get up in the night and go on deck to breathe the fresh air. Tomorrow is Christmas day. Purpose to have public services. Little did I think last Christmas of commemorating the next anniversary of the birth of our Savior upon the broad Atlantic. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)
Saturday, Christmas eve. The subject of this evening’s discourse was chosen from Luke, 2 Chap., 14 Y., “Glory to God in the highest” &c. An appropriate hymn was sung on the occasion, composed by one of the officers on board, Mr. Conant, a young man of liberal education, amiable deportment, and christian morals, an Episcopalian and a firm friend of Missions -the spirit of what is visible in his ode on Christmas, which I shall here copy.
The following hymn was composed by Wm. C. one evening during family prayers in the cabin, and presented by the Author to brother Samuel:
We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
All hail the bright star that the east once illumined
And blest with its radiance the Shepherds & Seers,
When religion the emblem of Mercy Assumed
And Glory appeared in the Valley of tea.
2d It rose o’er the gloom that enshrouded the earth,
And announced as it burst from the portals of heaven.
That the Savior of sinners Divine in his birth.
The Conqueror of death to the world is now given.
3d On this day from the regions of Glory and love.
As the Type of Salvation and symbol of hope.
Gently down through its beams. see the pure heavenly Dove.
Appear to mankind. who in darkness now grope.
4th May religion’s bright star, as we traverse the Ocean,
Illumine our way and its comforts impart,
While our fond ling’ring thoughts we cast back with emotion
To the country that holds the dear friends of our hearts.
5th Jehovah! Assist in the soul-trying hour,
The Mission of peace to a far distant land,
And calm the rude. Main with thy All-saving power,
Be- love, grace & mercy the gifts of thy hand.
6th When at length on the Isles of the Gentiles they tread
We pray the rough waves may smoothe the rough way
By them may the heathen to Jesus be lead,
And receive with fond rapture the Gospel’s bright rays.
7th By them may the Priests, of Idolatry learn,
That their Mori’s [heiau] and Tarboo’s [kapu] and offrings are vain
Let the nation from Idols and Violence turn,
And the joy of salvation perpetual reign.
8th Now swell the loud Anthems of praise to the Lord,
From whom streams of mercy incessantly flow,
Be the Father, the Son, and Spirit adored
By all nations and kind reds and realms here below. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)
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